Cities to see home boost

Greenfield, Roodhouse to share in $13.5M in affordable housing

GREENFIELD — Demolition is expected for 52 public housing units in Greenfield and Roodhouse to make way for new single-family rental houses across both locations.

The housing units at Prairie Court in Greenfield and Glen Rowe Court in Roodhouse will be demolished in December or the beginning of next year.

According to the Housing Authority of Greene County Executive Director Shelly Mason, the units were in poor shape and when the closing paperwork is completed construction can begin on the new ones.

“There was a study done and we found it would cost more to rehab those properties and bring them up to code than it was to tear down and build new,” Mason said. “Some of these units date back to 1966. They’re just too old to try and put money in to rehab them.”

Hopkins Estates will replace Glen Rowe Court and Tiger Trace will replace Prairie Court. The total investment into these communities will sit around $13.5 million when the project is completed.

Managed by the non-profit Apple Prairie Residential Services under the Housing Authority of Greene County umbrella, Hopkins Estates will feature four one bedroom, eight two-bedroom, 15 three-bedroom in one and two-story varieties. Tiger Trace will feature three one-bedroom properties, eight two-bedrooms, six three-bedroom and two four-bedroom options.

Five of these houses will have accessibility for those with special needs and one home will accommodate a family that includes someone with a sensory impairment. Nine houses have been reserved for families earning at or below 30 percent of the average median income and 37 are reserved for families earning 60 percent.

These houses were made possible in part through an Illinois Housing Development Authority Low-Income Housing Tax Credit of $12 million.

Each house will feature modern amenities such as a laundry room with a washer and dryer, an Energy Star range, refrigerator, microwave and dishwasher. Construction is expected to begin early next year and is be completed within 14 months.

“We’re very excited about it,” Mason said. “It’s a chance for us to offer the people in the community that’s affordable, new, something that can take pride in and take care of.”